Top Black Lawyers And Judges To Convene

WASHINGTON -- Thousands of members of the National Bar Association (NBA), one of the nation's premier legal organizations, will gather in New Orleans from August 9-13 to attend seminars and major presentations in conjunction with the organization's 85th annual conference.

On Tuesday morning August 10, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Lieutenant General (Retired) Russel Honore and formerLouisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, will participate in a panel discussion entitled "5 Years After Hurricane Katrina: Are We Any Better Prepared for Disasters?" In addition to the mistakes made and lessons learned during Hurricane Katrina, the current Gulf Oil Spill disaster will also be discussed.

Also on Tuesday morning, an official from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will participate in a press conference where the NBA will announce new initiatives pertaining to the Gulf Oil Spill disaster that will assist residents in New Orleansand the Gulf region. On Wednesday morning August 11, the NBA will host a forum that will be open to the public. Topics will include health and environmental issues related to the Gulf Spill and the long-term legal implications for the area's residents.

Anita Hill, Professor of Social Policy, Law & Women's Studies at Brandeis University; newly-appointed EEOC Chair, Jacqueline A. Berrien; Michael Strautmanis, Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Liaison; and CNN Political Analyst Donna Brazile will also be participating in conference sessions and events ranging from environment law and energy to the challenges of representing high profile clients and the dangers of Social Media.

The National Bar Association is the nation's oldest and largest national network of predominantly African American attorneys and judges. It represents approximately 44,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students and has over 80 affiliate chapters throughout the United States and around the world. The organization seeks to advance the science of jurisprudence, preserve the independence of the judiciary and to uphold the honor and integrity of the legal profession.